IDC Launches New Service Focused on Emerging and Disruptive Private IT Vendors

Business Wire, April 21, 2008

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- IDC today announced the launch of a new service, IDC's Private Vendor Watch Service (PVWS), which focuses on emerging and disruptive private IT vendors. The new service is designed for venture capital (VC), private equity, and merger and acquisition (M&A) analysts interested in IDC's business and technology assessment of smaller private IT vendors playing in hot and emerging markets.

The PVWS is an important new offering in the technology research market, addressing major gaps in small vendor analysis. The service centers around company profiles supplemented by deep market assessments. The profiles, written by IDC analysts in the relevant market areas, address corporate strategies, funding activity, technology and market analysis, factors for success, and business enablers.

"The goal is to provide a clearer understanding of who these small companies are and where they fit in an IT market where disruption has become the norm," said Ryan Patterson, senior analyst, IDC Private Vendor Watch Service. "To achieve this, we are leveraging IDC's market expertise and data to bring clarity to the profile and prospects of these small, private vendors."

The PVWS profiles and market assessments are highly complimentary to the due diligence work performed by VCs and private equity organizations when evaluating private companies in the IT space. Additionally, larger organizations reviewing potential technology-related M&A candidates will benefit from the service. IT strategy planners managing technology portfolios for Fortune 2000 companies will also be able to use the PVWS to review emerging technologies that can round out or enhance their vendor portfolios.

IDC is briefed by hundreds of private technology companies each year, providing a rich reservoir of companies and information upon which the PVWS is based. More than 100 select company profiles were created prior to the PVWS launch and will be available to service subscribers. While the initial profiles are focused on U.S. companies, international coverage will begin by the end of 2008. The service plans to add more than 200 select company profiles annually with a continued focus on business analysis and lead generation for investors. Relevant IDC analysts are available to support inquiries from PVWS clients. The service also features an on-demand profiling service for investors, assuring access to relevant private company coverage.

"IDC is taking an unique approach by offering investors and other interested parties relevant and timely profiles rich in vendor assessment and market context," says Joe Loiselle vice president of IDC's Global IT Advisory Services. "Imagine having credible due diligence on emerging companies from an expert in the market, all in just a few clicks. This is a significant improvement over the spotty private company information void of market context offered by various information sources today."

For more information about IDC's Private Vendor Watch Service, please contact Ryan Patterson at 508-988-6857 and rpatterson@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 900 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 90 countries worldwide. For more than 43 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

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